Our Take

from the Cars.com expert editorial team

What it is: The Lexus IS compact sedan is available with rear- or all-wheel drive and competes with sports sedans such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The IS lineup includes the IS 300 with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive; the IS 300 with a 260-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and all-wheel drive; and the IS 350 with a 311-hp V-6 and a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

New for 2018

Last year’s rear-drive IS 200t is now designated the IS 300 and uses the same 241-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Horsepower is up by 5 hp — to 260 hp in the all-wheel-drive IS 300 and 311 hp in the IS 350. A backup camera is now standard, and adaptive front lighting is now available. Enform safety and service telematics features are now complimentary for 10 years instead of one.

Sporty yet comfortable car

by alyb from Las Vegas, NV on October 17, 2018

I love this car. Super comfortable, roomy but not too big. Sporty and sleek look inside and out. Sport mode makes it fun to drive. I?ve gotten a ton of compliments from people already. Read full review

(4.0)

Best looking car I've owned...

by humbuddy from Boynton Beach, FL. on September 19, 2018

Beautiful inside and out. Wish it had memory seat. Still have mp3 player/ipod issues. When playing ipod, it shuts off entire system after 1 minute! To play an mp3 player, you must pull out usb cable ... Read full review

All Model Years for the Lexus IS 300

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The IS 300 received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*

* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.